Fox, Fremantle Media and 19 Entertainment officially confirmed the exits with the following statement to TheWrap:

"The passion and dedication that Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick brought to 'American Idol' guided the show to become a true cultural phenomenon. While we are saddened they will no longer be executive producers on the show, we are grateful for their tremendous contributions and look forward to continuing to work with them on additional projects."

Lythgoe and Warwick, who worked on "Idol's" predecessor, Britain's "Pop Idol," launched the popular U.S. version of the show together in 2002. Lythgoe left the show in 2008, then returned in 2010.

TheWrap was the first to report in early May that there would be major changes next season, including the executive firings and a wipe-out of Season 12's judging panel. (Since our report, Randy Jackson, Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey have announced their departures, leaving only, at this point, Keith Urban.)

The producers are looking at candidates for new judges, though any final decisions were put on hold pending a successor to Darnell. According to insiders, alum Jennifer Hudson currently has a deal worked out to judge for $4-5.5 million, but Fox has yet to finalize her contract. First season champ Kelly Clarkson has an offer on the table, but according to her representatives she isn't interested in joining the talent show.

While still one of the highest rated shows on broadcast TV, Fox's decision to make over the show is a result of its flagging ratings over its last several seasons. Season 12 saw a more than 20 percent decline in its ratings compared to the year before.